Energy savings device and method for a resistive and/or an inductive load and/or a capacitive load

Abstract

An energy savings device for an inductive, a resistive or a capacitive load, such as a fluorescent light fixture having a magnetic ballast or an electronic ballast, which is powered by an AC voltage waveform. The energy savings device includes a setting unit for setting a desired power operating level for the load. The energy savings device also includes a microprocessor configured to receive a signal from the setting unit indicative of the desired power operating level for the load, to determine a phase delay to be provided to an output AC voltage waveform that is to be provided to the load, and to output a control signal as a result thereof. The energy savings device further includes an active element provided between a line that provides the input AC voltage waveform and the load, the active element receiving the control signal and turning off and on at predetermined times in accordance with the control signal, so as to create the output AC voltage waveform from the AC voltage waveform.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An energy savings device for an inductive, resistive or capacitive load that is powered by an input AC voltage waveform, comprising: 
       a setting unit configured to allow a user to set a desired power operating level for the load;  
       a microprocessor configured to receive a signal from the setting unit indicative of the desired power operating level for the load, to determine a phase delay to be provided to an output AC voltage waveform that is to be provided to the load, and to output a control signal as a result thereof; and  
       an active element provided between a line that provides the input AC voltage waveform and the load, the active element receiving the control signal and turning off and on at predetermined times in accordance with the control signal, so as to create the output AC voltage waveform from the input AC voltage waveform.  
     
     
       2. The energy savings device according to  claim 1 , wherein the active element comprises: 
       a first SCR having an anode terminal coupled to the line and having a cathode terminal coupled to the load; and  
       a second SCR coupled in parallel to the first SCR, the second SCR having a cathode terminal coupled to the line and having an anode terminal coupled to the load.  
     
     
       3. The energy savings device according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
       an opto-isolated triac provided between the microprocessor and the active element, the opto-isolated triac providing the control signal to the first and second SCRs while providing a protection function for the microprocessor.  
     
     
       4. The energy savings device according to  claim 1 , wherein the load is a fluorescent light fixture having either a magnetic ballast or an electronic ballast. 
     
     
       5. The energy savings device according to  claim 4 , further comprising: 
       a motion detector configured to detect any motion within a particular area, and to provide a motion signal to the microprocessor indicative as to whether or not any motion is detected,  
       wherein the microprocessor is configured to control a dimming level of the fluorescent light fixture based in part on the motion signal.  
     
     
       6. An energy savings method for an inductive, resistive, or capacitive load that is powered by an input AC voltage waveform, the method comprising: 
       setting a desired power operating level for the load;  
       receiving, by a microprocessor, a signal indicative of the desired power operating level for the load, and determining a phase delay to be provided to an output AC voltage waveform that is to be provided to the load, and to output a control signal as a result thereof; and  
       receiving the control signal, and, in response thereto, turning an active element off and on at predetermined times in accordance with the control signal, so as to create the output AC voltage waveform from the input AC voltage waveform,  
       wherein the active element is disposed between a line carrying the input AC voltage waveform and the load.  
     
     
       7. The energy savings method according to  claim 6 , wherein the active element comprises: 
       a first SCR having an anode terminal coupled to the line and having a cathode terminal coupled to the load; and  
       a second SCR coupled in parallel to the first SCR, the second SCR having a cathode terminal coupled to the line and having an anode terminal coupled to the load.  
     
     
       8. The energy savings method according to  claim 6 , wherein the load is a fluorescent light fixture with either a magnetic ballast or an electronic ballast. 
     
     
       9. The energy savings method according to  claim 8 , further comprising: 
       detecting any motion within a particular area, and providing a motion signal to the microprocessor indicative as to whether or not any motion is detected; and  
       controlling a dimming level of the fluorescent light fixture based in part on the motion signal.  
     
     
       10. A computer program product being executed by a microprocessor and which provides an energy savings capability for an inductive, resistive or capacitive load that is powered by an input AC voltage waveform, the computer program product comprising: 
       first computer code configured to set a desired power operating level for the load;  
       second computer code configured to receive a setting signal output from the first computer code that is indicative of the desired power operating level for the load, the second computer code further configured to determine a phase delay to be provided to an output AC voltage waveform that is to be provided to the load, and to output a control signal as a result thereof; and  
       third computer code configured to provide a control signal to an active element provided between a line that provides the input AC voltage waveform and the load, the active element receiving the control signal and turning off and on at predetermined times in accordance with the control signal, so as to create the output AC voltage waveform from the input AC voltage waveform,  
       wherein the control signal is provided based on the phase delay determined by the second computer code and the setting signal output by the first computer code.  
     
     
       11. The computer program product according to  claim 10 , wherein the active element comprises: 
       a first SCR having an anode terminal coupled to the line and having a cathode terminal coupled to the load; and  
       a second SCR coupled in parallel to the first SCR, the second SCR having a cathode terminal coupled to the line and having an anode terminal coupled to the load.  
     
     
       12. The computer program product according to  claim 10 , further comprising: 
       an opto-isolated triac provided between the microprocessor and the active element, the opto-isolated triac providing the control signal to the first and second SCRs while providing a protection function for a microprocessor which executes the first, second, and third computer codes.  
     
     
       13. The computer program product according to  claim 10 , wherein the load is a fluorescent light fixture with either a magnetic ballast or an electronic ballast. 
     
     
       14. The computer program product according to  claim 10 , further comprising: 
       fourth computer code configured to detect any motion within a particular area, and to provide a motion signal to the microprocessor indicative as to whether or not any motion is detected,  
       wherein the microprocessor is configured to control a dimming level of the fluorescent light fixture based in part on the motion signal.  
     
     
       15. An energy savings device for an inductive, resistive or capacitive load that is powered by an input AC voltage waveform, comprising: 
       setting means for allowing a user to set a desired power operating level for the load;  
       processing means for receiving a signal from the setting unit indicative of the desired power operating level for the load, and for determining a phase delay to be provided to an output AC voltage waveform that is to be provided to the load, and to output a control signal as a result thereof; and  
       signal conversion means, provided between a line that provides the input AC voltage waveform and the load, for receiving the control signal and turning off and on at predetermined times in accordance with the control signal, so as to create the output AC voltage waveform from the input AC voltage waveform.  
     
     
       16. The energy savings device according to  claim 15 , wherein the signal conversion means comprises: 
       a first SCR having an anode terminal coupled to the line and having a cathode terminal coupled to the load; and  
       a second SCR coupled in parallel to the first SCR, the second SCR having a cathode terminal coupled to the line and having an anode terminal coupled to the load.  
     
     
       17. The energy savings device according to  claim 16 , further comprising: 
       isolation means provided between the processing means and the conversion means, the isolation means providing the control signal to the first and second SCRs while providing a protection function for the processing means.  
     
     
       18. The energy savings device according to  claim 15 , wherein the load is a fluorescent light fixture having either a magnetic ballast or an electronic ballast. 
     
     
       19. The energy savings device according to  claim 18 , further comprising: 
       motion detection means for detecting any motion within a particular area, and to provide a motion signal to the processing means indicative as to whether or not any motion is detected,  
       wherein the processing means controls a dimming level of the fluorescent light fixture based in part on the motion signal.  
     
     
       20. The energy savings device according to  claim 15 , wherein the setting means comprises a rotatable knob provided on a wall.